King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:23 in the King James Version says “Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.

Jeremiah 44:23 · KJV


Context

21

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

22

So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.

23

Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.

24

Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:

25

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because ye have burned incense (מִפְּנֵי אֲשֶׁר קִטַּרְתֶּם)—Jeremiah establishes clear causation using mippene (מִפְּנֵי, because of, on account of). The verdict directly contradicts the people's claim (v.18): suffering came because they burned incense to idols, not because they stopped. Four charges follow: (1) burned incense (idolatry), (2) sinned against the LORD (חֲטָאתֶם לַיהוָה), (3) not obeyed the voice of the LORD (לֹא־שְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹל יְהוָה), (4) nor walked in his law (בְּתוֹרָתוֹ וּבְחֻקֹּתָיו וּבְעֵדְוֹתָיו לֹא הֲלַכְתֶּם)—comprehensive covenant violation.

The triple legal terminology—torah (תּוֹרָה, instruction), chuqqot (חֻקִּים, statutes), edot (עֵדְוֹת, testimonies)—covers God's entire revealed will. The verdict: therefore this evil is happened unto you (עַל־כֵּן קָרָאת אֶתְכֶם הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת)—inevitable consequence meets willful cause.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's prophetic ministry (627-585 BC) witnessed Judah's final decline: from Josiah's reforms through four weak kings to Babylonian destruction. Throughout, he consistently warned that covenant violation brings covenant curse—a message vindicated by events but rejected by survivors who preferred any explanation except their own guilt.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is correctly identifying the cause of suffering essential for responding appropriately?
  2. How does comprehensive covenant violation (law, statutes, testimonies) differ from isolated sin?
  3. What prevents people from accepting responsibility for consequences of their rebellion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
מִפְּנֵי֩1 of 23

Because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם3 of 23

ye have burned incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר4 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חֲטָאתֶ֣ם5 of 23

and because ye have sinned

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 23

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלֹ֤א7 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שְׁמַעְתֶּם֙8 of 23

and have not obeyed

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֣וֹל9 of 23

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 23

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּבְתֹרָת֧וֹ11 of 23

in his law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וּבְחֻקֹּתָ֛יו12 of 23

nor in his statutes

H2708

a statute

וּבְעֵדְוֺתָ֖יו13 of 23

nor in his testimonies

H5715

testimony

לֹ֣א14 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֲלַכְתֶּ֑ם15 of 23

nor walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עַל16 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֞ן17 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָרָ֥את18 of 23

is happened

H7122

to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner

אֶתְכֶ֛ם19 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָרָעָ֥ה20 of 23

therefore this evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּ֖את21 of 23
H2063

this (often used adverb)

כַּיּ֥וֹם22 of 23

unto you as at this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃23 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 44:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 44:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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